The Center for the Arts at 122 W. Broadway in Hobbs is open 1-5 p.m. Mon-Fri and 9-5 Sat. Admission is free. Youth Art Workshops are held on Wednesday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. The cost is $15 per workshop. Friday afternoons are "Open Studio" time for adults to work on creative projects; there is a small fee. For more information, contact 397-2787. Sponsored by Lea Co. Commission for the Arts.

Southeast N.M. Community Action Corp. has funds available for people meeting gross income guidelines to help with rent, mortgages, prescriptions or utilities. Visit 1601 N. Turner, Suite 107 in Hobbs.

Option, Inc. at 200 N. Dalmont in Hobbs offers ongoing support and services for women regarding verbal, emotional, physical, and sexual. It's free and confidential. Find out more at hobbsamerica.com or call Debbie or Dinora at 397-1576.

If your non-profit group or organization has an event or program you want to announce, contact us and we'll spread the word for you. Write down the basic info, along with the name and number of a contact person, and mail to or drop off at 619 N. Turner, Hobbs, NM 88240. Or fax it to "Attn: Dawn Morgan" at 393-4310.

Do you know of a legally blind person who's having difficulty with life skills such as identifying money, accessing and dialing a phone, telling time, getting transportation, writing checks or signing signatures, or managing their home independently? If so, seek info and help from the N.M. Commission for the blind. Rehabilitation training and services are free to eligible persons. Contact Roswell Field OFC, Edith Baker, 1-888-513-7961 or 624-6140.

The G.E.D. test gives adults who did not graduate from high school a chance to earn a high school equivalency certificate. N.M.J.C. offers free G.E.D. classes. Students must be at least 16 years old, not enrolled in any public school, and take a placement test. After evaluation, students will be enrolled in classes. The classes are held Mon-Thurs for six weeks. New classes begin every seven weeks. Morning, afternoon, and evening classes are available. For more information, contact (505) 492-2629.

Ready to retire? If you plan to start receiving social security retirement or spouse's benefits within three months, you can save time and effort by applying for benefits online. It's safe, convenient and an increasingly popular choice. For more information, visit social security online at socialsecurity.gov or call Social Security at 1-866-254-2611 or 1-800-772-1213.

Citizens of Hobbs can receive emails, texts or both when Hobbs Police Dept. sends out critical information to the public. These may include crime, traffic, wanted of missing persons, fire and weather alerts. This is a free service provided by H.P.D. Go to hobbspd.com to sign up for free. Citizens can also email crime tips anonymously to police by following the link at hobbspd.com. Anonymous tips can be sent by text message using a cell phone. Text "575HPD" and your tip to the number "TIP411 (847411). "575HPD" should appear first in your narrative. There is no way the police can trace a text sent anonymously through this process.

Each month about 200,000 Americans reach their 65th birthday and become eligible for Medicare benefits. In addition to hospital and doctor's benefits, a Medicare prescription drug benefit is now available. New Medicare beneficiaries need to consider all of their options and find out if they might qualify for extra help with some or all of the premiums, deductibles and co-payments. The extra help could be worth an average of $3,900 per year for people with limited income and resources. Find out more at socialsecurity.gov or call 1-866-254-2611 or 1-800-772-1213.

Lea County Health Council has a new initiative to help combat the problem of teen pregnancy in our communities. The council has ddeveloped a speaker bureau providing informative topics on the issue of teen pregnancy and its prevention. For more information about booking a speaker for your organization or school assembly, call Robin Mack at 396-2819.

The "WIC" program provides services throughout N.M. to eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, and to to infants and children up to the age of 5. People who qualify within the income and at-risk categories may receive specific nutritious supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to local help agencies at no charge. Contact 1-800-280-1618 or the Local Health Dept. Office.

The Lovington V.F.W. on the Tatum Highway holds an adult community dance every Saturday night from 7 p.m. til 10 p.m. Admission is $4 per person. There is a live band, refreshments and door prizes. Contact 392-5687 for more information.

Hobbs Fire Dept. encourages residents to make sure your property address is clearly marked and visible from the front and rear. This helps ensure timely emergency response when necessary. Address numbers should be at least 4 inches tall with a one-half inch stroke width and of a color that contrasts against the background. To report a missing street sign, call the city at 397-9232 or the County Road Dept. at 391-2940.

The Local "Oddfellows Lodge" is looking for new members or returning "old" members. The group meets twice per month and enjoys fellowship, Dominoes, card games and refreshments. The group also sponsors local community projects. Contact Lynn Walker at 691-8368 for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lea County currently has a need for volunteers, as well as lots of children on its waiting list. If you know of a child who could benefit from having a mentor or an individual who would like to serve as a mentor for as little as 2-4 hours per month, call 391-6878. The program serves children ages 6-18. Mentor activities can include simple activities like shooting hoops, playing a board game, going on a hike, or enjjoying a pizza together. For more information, see Big Brothers Big Sisters at 105 Broadway in Hobbs.

The City of Hobbs Parks and Rec Tree Program offers residents a way to honor and remember a loved one or to commemorate a milestone in life, such as a wedding, anniversary or birth. A donation of $300 lets an individual place the tree of their choice in a park that is special to them. A recognition plaque will mark the tree. The city will be responsible for tree maintenance and, if necessary, replacement. For more information, call (575) 397-9291.

Hobbs Teen Center Opens its facilities to adults a couple of days per week. Activities offered will include Zumba Fitness, weightlifting, volleyball and co-ed basketball. No children under the age of 12 will be allowed at the time of adult activities. You can contact the Teen Center at 620 W. Alto at 391-9505 for more information. The climbing wall is also open to the public on the weekends. The Center is open Monday thru Saturday from 4 p.m. - 11 p.m.

A.S.S.E International Student Exchange Program is seeking local host families for boys and girls from a variety of countries. Students are 15-18 years old, and are coming to this area for the upcoming high school year or semester. The students are well screened and qualified; each brings his or her own spending money and expects to bear his or her share of household responsibilities, as well as being included in normal family activities and lifestyles. If you're interested, call 1-800-733-2773.

The Lea County Landfill, 5 miles east of Eunice, now accepts tires for recycling, but there is a fee per tire: $2 Passenger; $5 Semi-truck; $15 Equipment tire. Hours are Mon-Sat, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The Convenience Center in North Hobbs west of Halliburton now accepts passenger tires only for recycling and there is no charge. You can recycle up to four passenger tires per day (free for all Lea Co. residents). Hours are Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. The Convenience Center also accepts large residential loads of demolition material on Wednesday and Thursday. (Landfill 394-9109; Convenience Center 391-2953; Co. Environment Dept. 396-8611) 

Lea Regional Medical Center offers a program called "Senior Circle" to local senior citizens. This is a non-profit, tax-paying membership organization for adults age 50 and older. Membership provides access to a generous menu of national and local discounts, benefits, events and services. Benefits include prescription, vision, travel, home emergency response and other discounts, plus a free subscription to the national quarterly magazine "Inside Circle". The fee is $15 per year. There will also be frequent events and activities locally for members. For more information, call 492-5655 or learegionalmedical.com.

The Hobbs Mother of Preschoolers (MOPS) group invited all mothers of newborns to 5 year olds to attend local chapter meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at Northside Baptist Church, 1701 N. Jefferson. Free onsite childcare is provided. The group exists to encourage, equip and develop every mother of preschoolers to realize her potential as a woman, mother and leader. For more information, call 397-7661 or Staci Barcuch at 318-9840.

Hobbs Parks and Rec Dept. is offering Zumba classes with a new instructor. Zumba will be held every Tuesday and Thursday night from 5:30 til 6:30 p.m. at the teen center, 620 W. Alto. The fee is $5 per class or you can pay by the month for $20 each. A Saturday morning class will be held from 10-11 for $5 per session. Zumba is a Latin dance class with fitness elements and you don't have to know how to dance to take part. The new teacher is Chantelle Wittman, who brings a different style of Zumba to Hobbs. For more information, call 397-9291.

Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation is currently recruiting unemployed and underemployed adults to enroll in a free job training and placement program. Training programs are available in the fields of certified nursing assistant, C.D.L. with hazmat training, and police officer certification. Classes will be located in Hobbs, Artesia, Alamogordo, Carlsbad and Roswell. Income guidelines apply for qualification. For more information, call 575-887-3939.

Heart's Desire Recovery Outreach Facility in Lovington presents "C.O.O.LIFE", a 12-step recovery program Mondays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m. at 1109 S. Main St. in Lovington. It is open to anyone in need in Lea County.

Vista Pointe Church at 301 E. Navajo in Hobbs is starting a "Celebrate Recovery Program" to be held every Thursday night at 6 at the church. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Organizers say the ministry is an umbrella of 12-Step Recovery Program, is Christian-founded, and is proven to work in any church. Meetings are free and open to anyone who wants help in overcoming life's hurts, habits and hangups. Contact Don Gaston at 392-6936; Randy Neil at 441-1296; or Robert Rupp at 631-3125.

The Lea County Museum has opened to the public a portion of its historic space for use as a working art studio for artists and aspiring artists of all ages. Under the direction of Lovington's Ann Evans, the old Caprock store across from the courthouse has been turned into an art studio where seasoned artists and beginning students can work independetly or take classes in a variety of media. Hurs are Mon, Wed, and Fri (9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.). The studio is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Hours on Tuesday and Thursday will vary depending on interest and classroom activities. A calender of events will be published each month. Some nominal charges may be incurred for certain activities or purchase of some art supplies, but the Lea County Museum continues its policy of not charging for its programs.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has started a new group in Hobbs for people dealing with these problems. The group meets every Tuesday from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church in the Troutt Annex across the street from the church at 301 E. Snyder St. in Hobbs. it's free and open to everyone. Please contact Kathie Miller at 390-4090 with questions.

Southeast NM Community Action Corporation has staff available to all Lea County residents to help with rent, utilities and prescription expenses at its office, 1701 N. Turner, Suite 104 in Hobbs. Hours are Monday thru Thursday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Pick up applications during regular business hours. Contact Elisa Dave, executive director at 393-9328 or Wilma Brewer, secretary.

The State Dept. of Workforce Solutions has launched the unemployment insurance system's new toll-free number and 24-hour self-service environment. For help, call 1-877-NM-4-MY-UI (1-877-664-6984) available in English and Spanish. Claimants can perform their weekly certification and reset their personal identification number without interacting with a dept. customer service representative. You can also use this number to check on the status of your claim. It's available 24 hours a day.